Signs You May Need a Root Canal

SIGNS YOU MAY NEED A ROOT CANAL TOOTH PAIN The most common symptom of the need for a root canal You may feel extreme sensitivity to hot and cold Pain can occur spontaneously as well, not always in relation to a stimulus Chewing or pressure on a tooth can also cause this pain ABSCESS If you see a pimple-like bump on your gums, it could be an abscess An abscess happens when the pulp inside the tooth dies The root is infected with bacteria, and a pocket of pus forms around it Ignoring an abscess can lead to the infection spreading TRAUMA Trauma from a car accident, sports injury, or other blows can necessitate a root canal If the force is great enough, it can cause the nerve to be severed from the root In some cases, this will happen at the same time as the incident itself In other cases, it may be years after the incident that a root canal is needed SEVERE DECAY Regular trips to the dentist can help spot early signs of decay If cavities are severe or progress untreated, they can reach the pulp Small cavities can become worse over time, so it's best to treat them early A broken filling also carries the risk of the pulp getting infected APPEARANCE If you notice one tooth that is discolored, you may need a root canal A "dead tooth" is susceptible to infection Swelling and tenderness around the surrounding gums is also a telltale sign Notice if you have swollen lymph nodes, as this could be an indicator PROVIDED BY: Comfort Dental www.SANJOSECOMFORTDENTAL.COM SOURCES: http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/- root-canals/root-canals-explained.aspx http://www.yourdentistrygulde.com/root-canals/ http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals?page=2 http://www.lortonoralsurgery.com/blog/2014/recog- nize-the-warning-signs-six-signs-you-need-a-root-canal-stat/